BBC News Online: World: Middle East

Syria 'gets new Scud'

According to reports in Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper, the Scud D, with a range of more than 450km (280 miles) would enable Syria to hit targets anywhere in Israel from deep in its own territory.

The report follows warnings by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak that Israel would strike at Syrian targets if there were attacks of any kind from across the Lebanese border.

The original Scud missile is a staple of the arsenals of several Middle Eastern armies.

It gained notoriety during the Gulf War when it was used by Iraq against targets in Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Home made Scuds?

Syria is believed to have 300 of the less sophisticated Scud B and C missiles. These older Scuds have a range of about up to 300km (190 miles) and are not known for their accuracy.

According to military analysts, Syria may be producing Scud parts, and selling them on to Egypt.

Ha'aretz reports that North Korea may have sold the missiles to Libya as well as Syria.

It is not known whether the payload of the new missile is any different from its predecessors or if its guidance system is any more accurate.

"What is certain is that Syria has taken a great leap forward in terms of its missile arsenal," writes the Ha'aretz military editor Ze'ev Schiff.